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behalf of my party and on that of the majority of Deputies. We will not stay silent as others try to intimidate this House and its chairperson. They will not succeed in imposing rule by minority. They will not block the democratic business of this House, roaring … found elsewhere in the democratic world. Our country is facing enormous threats, threats which may be felt in every community and household - tariffs, housing, disability and so forth. We simply do not have time to waste on cynical strategies of aggression and disruption

Whip during the last term, I always valued how we worked together at the Business Committee to try to build consensus in the House where we could. It is incumbent on all of us to work together to urgently restore a collegiate and constructive approach. During the last … many of the legislative priorities, which is an important piece of parliamentary democracy. We need to give committees and all Members across the House an opportunity to play an active and constructive role and to work collaboratively. Pure opposition politics should not trump the public interest

govern, but it is not a mandate to dilute and make less effective the long-established principles and rules of how this House operates, the very basis for our democratic exchange functions. The Government is held to account by the Opposition. That accountability must be honest, rigorous … Ceann Comhairle today. I say that knowing the vote will pass. I hope there is a way forward to rebuild trust in this House. That will not happen, however, if this Government continues to try to reshape the rules of this House, to decrease speaking time

value of order and procedure. I can speak to the value of order because in the five years I have been in this House, I have never disrupted anyone. I have never spoken over anyone and have never raised my voice. Even while listening to non-answers … speak on a motion of no confidence, as we see it, but I do so because, as a Member of this House, I am concerned in relation to the impartiality of the Ceann Comhairle. I listened to the Chief Whip, Deputy Butler, talk about this motion being about

Mercs alone costing the country more than €5 million. Independent Ireland was willing at all times to talk and to deliver on housing without dreaming up false figures on housing targets and delivering on infrastructure in a country that has wastewater tanks all over leaking into local rivers … carbon tax. We would freeze any increase to enable our elderly and families to fill the tank of oil at home, heat the house or put the diesel or petrol into the car to do their normal daily work. We were willing to deliver on farm payments

Government colleagues. The first is that we are temporary custodians of the processes and standards that were built before our time in the House. The Ceann Comhairle is a constitutional officeholder who was elected by the Dáil. It is disproportionate to have a motion of confidence … determination had been made by Members opposite. The second point is that as well as being temporary custodians of the standards of this House, we are also democrats, and the first rule of democracy is being able to count. None of us would be here without being able

issued was that she did follow due process. For that reason, I support her in her office. I was elected to the House to work on behalf of the constituents of Meath East, to find and provide solutions to the serious challenges facing Ireland and her people … happy to contribute to the programme for Government to that end. In December, I received a dignity and respect document from the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, as I am sure did all colleagues. In effect, what I have experienced in the past four months has been nothing

coercive form of democratic vandalism to the constitutional offices of this State. The Ceann Comhairle was elected by the majority of this House, whether Deputies like it or not, and the Ceann Comhairle can only retain her position through a democratically endorsed ballot, whether they like … agree that vicious personal attacks, attempts to undermine and even degrade for the purposes of pathetic political optics are unworthy of this House and the tradition on which it was built. The Ceann Comhairle is capable of discharging her duties in a fair and impartial manner, and what

that in the absence of consensus, dissentients are bound to be unhappy. I wish to assure all Members on all sides of this House that I bear no ill will and that my door is always open. I will continue to uphold my solemn declaration to vindicate … rights of all Members and administer the rules chosen by Members of this House, impartially and fairly, alongside the independent, loyal and hardworking staff of my office and this House without fear or favour. Thank

again put on the record of the House our commendation for the Justice for the Forgotten group, without which I do not believe we would even have seen the progress we have. I acknowledge that, for many years, the victims' families and the survivors of the Dublin … Monaghan bombings were essentially ostracised. There were 30 years in this House when there was not even a parliamentary question submitted in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I appreciate that we have now moved to a point where not only is there cross-party support

Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, has just said, the RRDF is helping in terms of building community revitalisation to assist in housing as well. We announced 30 RRDF projects last year, worth €164 million. A total of €20 million was spent under the town and village renewal scheme … That window is open again this year. We are looking at how we build infrastructure to encourage people. Under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the vacant properties grant is assisting in a lot of rural areas. I see houses opening up that have perhaps

context of the national housing emergency, many of the large-scale social housing complexes in my constituency and other urban constituencies have been earmarked for regeneration to address the deplorable condition of many of them, and to increase the density of these sites with additional social and affordable … projects and regeneration programmes, because I have been informed that Dublin City Council is effectively pausing these projects, namely, Cherry Orchard, Bluebell, Dolphin House, St. Teresa's Gardens, Basin Street and the Oliver Bond flats for at least three years due to a lack of funding from central

During the course of the last week, the Governor of the Central Bank, Gabriel Makhlouf, entered the debate on housing. He did so in response to a Government initiative calling for greater liquidity for developers and builders. He told us that the banks are well capitalised and have … builders and developers, across the country, they will tell you that one of their greatest difficulties is sourcing capital. Their contribution to the housing problem could be immense if they had the funding to build houses at a small scale, which, individually, might not be great, but which

their families who are not entitled to that pension are caused real and significant financial problems, whether that be with regard to housing costs, the cost of childcare, or even a parent having to give up their job. I urge the Government to examine the possibility of some … really very important. We need to see this legislation enacted quickly. In the meantime, as we wait for this to pass through the Houses, it is important to make sure those people are looked after. Those who are waiting for this legislation to be passed need

Members in the House today are very passionate about this issue. They all have their own personal stories of people who have lost loved ones. I thank my Sinn Féin colleagues for some very good contributions. We talking about a Bill that is not perfect - we have Second … past. This needs to be a priority for the Government. I thank the Minister. We have all had experiences. I will brief the House on a most recent one, which is worrying. It makes one aware of the urgency. I know of a mother of five kids

Coventry. The industries there attracted Irish people who worked in factories, on the buses and in hospitals. They built the ring road, housing estates and the new cathedral. The Irish community flourished. People came together in clubs, trade unions, voluntary organisations and in their churches. They represented their … Nowadays, the 1950s generation are ageing but their legacy remains. The Coventry Irish Centre performs outstanding work for their community out of Eaton House, which is near the railway station. Great credit is due to people such as Simon McCarthy, Caroline Brogan, Gráinne Fellowes, Liz Flannelly, Manisha

long time and your tactics are well known. However, they will be met by steel on this side of the House. You are not going to run the House, Deputy McDonald, and Sinn Féin will not run the House

want to spend more on their own defence. I have here a booklet that has been sent out to every house in Sweden by the Swedish Government, “In case of crisis or war”. Every house in Sweden is getting that, a country which is an exemplar … tariff-free agreement with Canada. That is the reality from the Opposition and now it is bemoaning tariffs. On this side of the House, Fianna Fáil in particular and Fine Gael also have always supported free trade. The Deputies opposite told us the Canada trade agreement

that on the record. As provided for under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, the draft order laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas cannot be made law until a resolution approving the order has been passed by each House. Therefore, approval of the motion in Dáil … motion proposed today. The draft order being considered cannot be made law until a resolution approving the order has been passed by each House. Therefore, approval of the motion by the Dáil today is essential to ensure the continuation of the scheme for a further year, no more

thank the Deputy for his question. We recognise the need to address the short-term letting sector in areas of housing need, especially in areas of high demand such as Dublin city, and where properties are not compliant with planning requirements. The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment … planning applications for short-term lets. Any amendment to planning legislation will be informed by policy and consider multiple factors, including long-term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed short-term let and the need to balance housing need with the potential

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if he intends to review the housing completion target for 2025; the number of new homes his Department estimates will now be completed in 2025; the additional measures he plans to take to increase … housing construction; the engagement he has had with the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, respectively, on new taxation and expenditure measures to boost delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to comment on the ongoing delay in his Department's approvals for social and affordable housing projects funded via SHIP, CAS, CALF, CREL and AHF; to confirm the total number of projects submitted … under each funding stream since September 2024 to date in 2025; the number that have been approved, and the local authority, or approved housing bodies, involved formally notified of that approval during the same time period. [13256/25

significant number of social and affordable housing applications were delayed in the Minister's Department at the latter end of last year, pending approval. We do not have the final figure but it could be anywhere in the region of 5,000 units. At Cabinet, the Minister … However, my understanding is that the vast majority of those have yet to be formally approved with the relevant local authorities and approved housing bodies. Will the Minister confirm the status of the approvals for those 3,000 units, in particular the communication with the local authorities

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the total delivery of affordable purchase and cost-rental homes in 2024 by local authorities, approved housing bodies and the Land Development Agency; and his views on the low output under these schemes … growing number of people unable to access these properties due to the unaffordable rents and house prices. [13257/25

raise one specific point about the first home scheme. It is an important vehicle for home ownership. It is a form of affordable housing, without doubt, but many new properties are falling outside the limits of the scheme. That needs to be reviewed in my constituency of Cork … South Central where new three-bed semi detached houses are over the limit for the first home scheme. We do not necessarily want to chase price growth and we do not want to be part of the problem by increasing house prices but we have to examine

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to protect households relying on private wells from contamination caused by nearby septic tanks. [49456/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications, approvals, and payments made under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant scheme in each of the past five years. [49457/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the current maximum grant of €12,000 adequately reflects the full cost of upgrading or replacing defective domestic wastewater treatment systems. [49458/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to increasing the grant ceiling or coverage rate beyond 85% in light of rising construction costs for wastewater treatment systems. [49459/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targeted interventions being undertaken in High Status Objective Catchment Areas to address risks from septic tanks. [49462/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a national strategy exists to transition older septic tanks to modern treatment systems over a defined timeframe. [49464/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if updated building regulations or planning guidance are being considered to reduce future risks from domestic wastewater systems. [49465/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently reliant on septic tanks or similar systems; and the projected trends over the next decade. [49466/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether additional technical or financial supports are available for homeowners in rural areas to maintain or upgrade their wastewater systems. [49468/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current processing times for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant from application to approval nationally, in the greater Dublin area, and the Dublin north-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all EU funding streams that are available to his Department and other State agencies tasked with the delivery of social and affordable homes; and the amount of each fund drawn down in each

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg West SDZ. [49558/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of requests for increased CALF and CAS funding on individual projects after construction has commenced, and where costs have increased above initial stage 1 approval in the past 12 months, with a breakdown

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s priorities for Ireland’s EU Council Presidency. [49583/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of DCB appeals heard for each county per month, in tabular form. [49627/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide figures of the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026; the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026 for each State Agency

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his efforts to tackle dereliction in conjunction with local authorities; his efforts to ensure the derelict sites levy is enforced and collected by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he has taken in conjunction with local authorities to tackle dereliction; the further steps he has taken to ensure that the derelict sites levy is enforced and collected by local authorities with

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties in Somerton Park, Ballinlough, Cork (details supplied), broken down by year and the agreed purchase price of each transfer of title. [49782/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question no. 424 of 23 June 2026, if he will provide a schedule of the local authorities that have drawn down an administration grant; if he will provide a schedule of local authorities

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of the Bray harbour URDF project; if funding for additional local authority staff has been approved and allocated; if he will detail the scope of the works

Migration the number of enforcement actions, seizures, or prosecutions taken by An Garda Síochána against unlicensed gaming activity in licenced premises (public houses) in each of the years 2024 and 2025; whether his Department has assessed the competitive and economic impact of unlicensed gaming in pubs on licensed

Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health when funded vacant placements in Damien House Regional Services will be brought into operation and when all such placements will be filled given that people with intellectual disabilities and their families in south Tipperary and Kilkenny continue to wait

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a ban on no-fault eviction in light of consecutive months of record-breaking numbers of people and children in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide sufficient funding to Uisce Éireann to upgrade the wastewater systems in towns and villages within the wider Dublin commuter belt, which now includes Laois, where lands have been rezoned